1. An Invitation Creating Space for Dialogue
Preview Webinar: (Competencies I and II – see below)
Overview and background of the project
Why community dialogue matters and what is Extension’s role in it
Who should attend
Expectations from involvement
Competencies to address
I - Civil Dialogue Overview
Before a dialogue process can effectively take shape, community organizers/facilitators need some basic understanding of what dialogue is and when and how it can successfully move a community forward in addressing a challenging issue or at least better understanding it.
Understand the importance of dialogue in addressing challenging issues.
Recognize multiple ways of knowing that influence the way people think about issues.
Understand and can explain the realms impacting community decision-making (Venn diagram).
Identify factors influencing the type of public input that may be appropriate in a given situation.
Recognize situations in which dialogue may be appropriate and when it may not.
II - Civil Dialogue and the Land Grant University (LGU)
Aligning civil dialogue efforts with the Land Grant mission sometimes leads to puzzling questions. In order to successfully integrate civil dialogue into the LGU work, an understanding of how the two fit together—or are challenged to do so—will help pave the way to successful university-community collaboration (see Wright, 2012).
Understand the history of Extension as a grassroots knowledge-sharing and relationship-building institution, particularly the role that group discussion and civil dialogue has played in its history (Shaffer, 2016).
Recognize how dialogue can strengthen Extension work with communities (Hustedde, 1996)
Articulate the value of civil dialogue to both the LGU as well as to communities
Balance “deliver science based knowledge” with community engagement to work alongside communities for solutions (Peters, 2014).
Recognize community building as one of everyone in Extension’s tasks.
Address common misperceptions of Extension’s involvement in civil dialogue such as Extension’s mission and potential roles in conflict.
Understand Extension’s own unique challenges in reaching all audiences within a given community.
Dionardo Pizaña, Michigan State University Extension
Rachel Welborn, Southern Rural Development Center

2. Overview Background Why Dialogue Pilot Progress & Lessons Learned
Coming Together – Phase 2

3. How We Got Here October 2016 – Rapid Response Team Formed
October 2017 – Curriculum Team assembled
August 2018 – 20 Pilot teams trained
October 2019 – Second Phase Training

4. Why Dialogue Matters in Today’s Cooperative Extension Service
So where does this fit within today’s Cooperative Extension Service?

5. Addressing Complex Issues
Publically Acceptable
Financially
Viable
Scientifically Compatible
Technically Feasible
Environmentally Responsible
Culturally
Inclusive
Dialogue’s Purpose
Within any complex issues are a number of important aspects that, taken together, can lead to sound decision-making.
Financially viable – do we have the finances to do this; can we afford it?
Scientifically compatible – does this option match with science?
Technically feasible – does the technology exist to do this option, do we know how to do it?
Environmentally responsible – does this option care for the natural resources that will sustain us over time?
Culturally inclusive – does this option consider the differing cultural perspectives that will be impacted?
Publically acceptable – does this option honor the values and interests of the public it will impact?
Ignoring any one of these elements puts progress and success at risk, or even sets it on a course for failure. However, through thoughtful consideration and dialogue, that sweet spot where the overlapping interests and concerns surrounding an issue can be identified, and positive change can be embraced together.

6. What Brief Dialogues Can Do and Rarely Do
Usually Do:
Rarely Do:
Provide a safe place to begin to talk openly
Create a respectful, connected space for people to be able to tell their story
Open and grow consciousness about others’ experiences
Support perspective sharing
Humanize other groups
Increase empathy, hope, and trust
Encourage groups to begin taking action
Unpack all the ways systems devalue people of color
Fully heal interracial traumas
Foster deep understanding needed for healing
Explicitly integrate lessons from the past to address current injustices
Create/sustain long-term movement
Help measure systemic transformation
Design processes for personal change with accountability
Adapted from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, (2018). Restoring to Wholeness

7. Perspectives across the Nation
Carolyn Williams, Prairie View A&M University;
Curriculum Team Member, Participating State
“Extension is recognized and respected for its success at the county level of engaging the community in strategies geared for change. Therefore, in keeping with the Land-Grant mission, we are charged and positioned to address complex community challenges.”
Jeff Dwyer, Michigan State University Extension Director
Participating State
The Michigan State University Extension Shared Values outline our commitment to ensuring that our faculty and staff members are prepared to discuss race relations within our programming and throughout the organization. Participating in  “Coming Together for Racial Understanding” has deepened that commitment, and has allowed us to take the next step in partnering with state and local leaders to facilitate critical conversations in our communities. This work is central to the land grant mission of this university.

8. Perspectives across the Nation
Ivory Lyles, University of Nevada, Reno; Western Champion
“Building human relations is the strongest bond for teamwork. Technology and the fast pace lifestyle hampers working as a team. By enhancing our skills in civility and inclusivity, we build a stronger society.
Never in my lifetime has there been a greater need for Racial Understanding. It is critically important to respect, listen and value all to promote unity.”
John Lawrence, Iowa State University
Participating State
“Demographics in our communities are changing rapidly.  If Extension is going to help communities thrive, it must address cultural and racial understanding.  This training prepares our staff to lead on these issues.”

9. Perspectives across the Nation
Gary Jackson, Mississippi State University
Participating State
“Technology and our fast pace communication tools have strained our human relations and ability to meet face-to- face, be civil and resolve our differences. We must meet, respectively listen to each other, be kind, and solve our problems.  Our democracy depends on it.” 
-John D. Lawrence
Iowa State University Vice President for Extension and Outreach

10. Pilot Team: August 2018

11. Participating States First Cohort, 2018

12. Participant Areas of Growth: Post Survey

13. Greatest Strengths of the Training
Two approaches to dialogue which allows flexibility
Connections made among the cohort group across state lines and across race/ethnicity
Safe place for intentional, difficult conversations
Two days doing own work before beginning on training for others
Two days doing own work on racial equity principles before beginning on training materials for others
Connections made among the cohort group across state lines and across race/ethnicity
Safe place for intentional, difficult conversations
Two approaches to dialogue which allows flexibility
What First Cohort Said

14. Growth of Efforts to Date
10 Fall Trainings Planned
CES Trained in States
First Pilot Team
Rapid Response & Planning Team
204
300 60 36

15. Research Findings – Sneak Peak What Matters Most?
Top Ways to Demonstrate Support:
Administrators provide time to other Extension employees to participate
Resources are made available to support this effort
I feel adequately trained to begin this work
Our team has a good mix of perspectives

16. Structure & Purpose of the Initiative

17. Core Competencies: Two Overlapping Realms
Civil Dialogue
Race Relations

18. A Diagram of Coming Together Pilot Initiative
Approach 1
Impact Evaluation
Approach 2
Progression of the Process
Community Dialogue
Diverse teams with each state/university
CES Capacity Building in State
In honoring investments made by sponsors, participants are expected to:
Fully participate in the entire weeklong workshop and preview webinar
Take the IDI prior to coming
Host at least one training targeted to other CES professionals within six months
Host at least one community civil dialogue event within a year of in-state training
Actively participating in monthly teleconferences with other pilot participants.
Assisting with evaluation efforts.
Train the Trainer Event
Homework and
Pre-sessions before event

19. Who Should Attend Train-the-trainer teams 3 individuals per state
20 teams of three each = 60 participants
Joint teams made up of 1862, 1890, and 1994
Individuals able to provide state level leadership and training for other CES staff

20. Team Traits Reflects the diversity of the state as a team
Committed to leading statewide training among CES staff/communities
Able to:
Regulate own emotions
Listen effectively
Form partnerships
Facilitate difficult dialogues
Comfortable:
In a co-learner experience
Discussing issues around race and racism
Working in teams
Working with diverse audiences
Have experience facilitating groups in communities and among peers to address pressing issues
Have experience in conflict management (interpersonal as well as group)
Demonstrate ability to regulate one’s own emotion as well as assist others, especially in moments of high tension
Demonstrate a willingness and ability to listen to understand.
Are comfortable working with diverse audiences, including people of different races/ethnicity, multi-generational groups, etc.
Reflect the diversity of the state (as a team)
Have time and are committed to leading training among CES staff in the year following the workshop and supporting this work into communities
Are comfortable joining a co-learner experience (as opposed to teacher/student model)
Are comfortable discussing issues around race, ethnicity, racism, racial equity
Are able to form and work effectively in teams
Are capable of forming partnerships on the state and community level
Can adapt to changing circumstances as communities progress

21. National Train-the-Trainer Workshop
Dates: October 7-11, 2019
Beginning at 8:00 a.m., October 7th
Ending at noon on October 11th   Location:
Crowne Plaza Aire MSP Airport 3 Appletree Square  Bloomington, MN 55425 

22. Extension Committee on Operations & Policy
Sponsors
Extension Committee on Operations & Policy

23. Registration
Early Bird (Through Sept.3)
$550
Regular (Sept. 4-15th )
$575
Registration includes:
Program Materials
Nine Meals
Breakfast Mon.-Fri.
Lunch Mon.-Thurs.
Daily Refreshments
Workshop Expenses
20 registration scholarships for and 1994 participants are available.
One per state team.

24. Southern Rural Development Center
Key Contact & Links
Southern Rural Development Center
Rachel Welborn
Registration link: Coming Soon
Project link:

25. Questions & Discussion